The difference between winged termites and winged ants can be difficult to discern. Both creatures have wings, but the function of those wings varies. Winged termites have wings for flight, while winged ants use their wings for navigation.
Additionally, the body shape of each creature is different as well. Winged termites are typically elongated, while winged ants are more slender. Keep Reading to know more differences.
Table of Contents
Is it winged termites or winged ants?
There are many different types of flying ants and winged termites. They can be difficult to tell apart, but there are some key differences.
For one, flying ants do not eat wood as winged termites do. Additionally, flying ants swarm in order to mate, while winged termites swarm when they’re looking for new territory.
Winged termites are more destructive as they feed on the cellulose in wood, making them a greater structural threat.
However, because flying ants and winged termites are difficult to differentiate, it is important to know the key difference between the two. Therefore, here are some of those differences.
Flying ants infest houses where they can find water leakages.
Flying ants are a species of ants that can fly and reproduce. They are often mistaken for flying termites, but there are key differences between the two.
Winged ants and flying termites are a common sight during winter, as they swarm in search of water leakages. They infest houses where they can find even the tiniest of openings.
In fact, if you find them in your house in the winters, you probably already have an ant infestation on your hands. It is important to address the infestation as soon as possible before it becomes difficult to get rid of them.
However, when flying ants are seen indoors in large numbers, it is an indication of a problem. Flying ants invade homes to search for water leakages and other places where they can find food and shelter.
Winged termites or even non-winged termites are called silent destroyers.
Winged termites, or even non-winged termites, are called silent destroyers because they can cause a lot of damage to your home before you even realize you have a problem.
They are often mistaken for ants, but there are a few key ways to tell them apart. One way is to tap on the wood and listen for a hollow sound. Termites will also leave mud tubes as they travel from their colony to the food source.
There are different types of termites, and they eat different things, depending on the type of termite. For example, drywood termites eat the wood in your house, while subterranean termites eat the soil around your house.
Unlike winged ants, winged termites don’t bother about whether the wood is rotting or damp before destroying it! As I said, the worst bit is that you won’t even realize you have a termite issue till you finally realize that your wood sounds hollower than before!
Winged ants and winged termites look different.
Winged ants and winged termites may look similar, but there are a few key physical differences that can help you distinguish between the two. For starters, The thickness of a beetle’s body tends to be thicker in the thorax area compared to its waist.
Winged ants are typically larger than Soldier termites, their front wings are larger than their rear wings, and their antennae have an elbow bend. The antennae of winged termites, however, are almost straight.
Further, termites have uniform wings as compared to the differently sized wings of winged ants. That said, winged ants have wings that are fairly proportionate to their dimensions, whereas winged termites have wings that are larger than their bodies.
Winged termites and winged ants differ in their core behaviors.
Winged termites and winged ants are both types of flying insects, but they differ in their core behaviors. Winged termites are a part of the Termite family, while winged ants are a part of the Ant family.
Winged termites swarm in order to create new colonies, while winged ants swarm to mate. Also, winged ants are attracted to light, while termites swarm during springtime.
Further, winged ants don’t eat wood. They do destroy it, but only to make a home for themselves. Winged termites, on the other hand, are known to not only destroy wood to construct tubes in it but also to eat the wood itself.
Winged termites and winged ants have different diets.
Winged termites and winged ants have different diets. Winged termites are mostly herbivores, while winged ants are omnivores. This means that winged termites eat mostly plants, while winged ants eat a variety of things, including plants, meat, and other insects.
Termites have a symbiotic relationship with certain types of bacteria in their gut that allow them to digest the cellulose in wood. Ants, on the other hand, usually get their nutrition from fluids they suck out of other insects or animals.
Winged termites and winged ants have slightly different life cycles.
Winged ants are more common in warmer climates, while termites are more common in colder climates. They have slightly different life cycles, but the end result is the same: both create new colonies by flying away and starting new nests.
In a winged ant’s life cycle, it goes through four stages of development – the first stage is that of the egg, then they turn into larvae, then pupae, and ultimately adult winged ants.
Termites, in contrast, go through only three stages of development. These pests don’t go through a pupal stage in their life cycle at all!
Even when it comes to lifespan, termites live considerably longer lives than ants. In fact, termite queens can live for as many as twenty years.
With respect to mating, male winged ants typically die after mating. In termites, both the male and female survive after mating. They do, however, lose their wings!
Winged termites and winged ants cause different signs of damage.
Winged termites and flying ants are both pests that can cause a lot of damage to wood. However, they cause different types of damage and leave different signs of them too.
Winged termites eat the wood from the inside out while flying ants eat the surface layer of the wood. This can lead to very different results in terms of the overall health of the wood.
Winged termites tend to damage wood more than flying ants, who prefer to eat sugary foods. Damage to wood is usually behind or below surfaces such as walls in the case of termites, while it is usually near windows and doors in the case of flying ants.
How can you control winged termites or winged or flying ants in your home?
Winged termites or ants, both of which are actually just a type of flying pest, can be a nuisance and cause damage to your home if they are left unchecked. They may be an indication that you have water leakage or a defect in your home that needs to be fixed.
Sprinkle insecticidal dust around your house.
When you see flying or winged ants in your house, the first thing you want to do is control them. One way to do that is by using insecticidal dust. This dust can be sprinkled around your house, preferably near their nesting areas.
You may have to look for their nests or drill a couple of holes to inject the dust in order to get rid of them completely.
Use a perimeter spray around the outsides of your house.
Another method that can be quite effective is to use a perimeter spray around the outsides of your house. This will kill any insects that try to enter.
Baits are another effective method, but they are slower. They work by attracting the insects to a specific location and then killing them.
Reduce the amount of humidity and moisture in your homes.
One of the best ways to reduce the risk of termite infestation in your home is to reduce the amount of humidity and moisture. This can be done by sealing cracks and openings, installing caulking, and spraying insecticides around doors and windows.
If you find evidence of termites, it is important to contact a professional immediately who can take appropriate action.
Keep your lawn or yard clean and trim.
Maintaining a clean and tidy lawn is essential in preventing an infestation of flying termites or ants. It is important to remove any debris or stagnant water, as this can provide a breeding ground for the insects.
Additionally, make sure that there is no wood from the foundation of your home touching the soil, as this can also attract them.
Seal all potential points of entry for flying and winged termites and ants.
It is important to take preventative measures to keep flying and winged termites and ants out of your home.
One way to do this is by sealing all potential points of entry. This includes closing off any openings in the foundation, windows, and ventilation systems. By doing this, you can help keep these pests from entering your home and causing damage.
Should you be worried if you spot outdoor winged termites outside your home in North Carolina?
Yes, you should be worried if you spot outdoor winged termites outside your home in North Carolina. Winged adult termites, or swarmers, are attracted to new colonies in order to establish them.
If you see a lot of winged termites, it is likely that there is a nest nearby. If most of the winged termites are spotted outdoors, the associated nest is likely outdoors.
However, if most of the winged termites appear indoors, your North Carolina regional home may well have an inside termite infestation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be difficult to differentiate between winged termites and winged ants. However, there are a few key differences that can help you tell them apart. Winged termites have two pairs of wings that are the same size, and they have straight antennae.
Winged ants have one pair of wings that are larger than the other pair and they have curved antennae. If you are unsure which type of insect you are dealing with, it is best to consult a professional.
